New Release - Lila - Marilynne Robinson

Dear Readers,

Lila by Marilynne Robinson is much sought after by readers.  With it being a hard cover book, it is surprising how many have asked about it.  That tells you how good an author Marilynne is.   Readers will once again return to Gilead where we will meet up with old friends and make a few new ones.

Lila is homeless and ducks into a small church in Iowa to get out of the rain and it changes her life.  She meets and falls in love with the minister in town, Suddenly she finds herself not only a wife, but a pastors wife, which comes with all its own problems. 

The problems arise when she tries to fit her past with where she lives now.  Lila was raised by Doll after being rescued from a life of neglect.  Doll was a drifter and brought Lila up in the hard life of itinerant work.  It wasn't easy and not always nice, but there were lots of moments of love and joy.  So when the church in Gilead deems her makeshift family unacceptable for church, Lila struggles to get the two views together.

Marilynne reminds us that not everyone is raised in a perfect home.  We need to love them anyways and the folks of Gilead are the ones who are teaching us that lesson.

Happy Reading,

Carrie Stuart Parks

Dear Readers,

New author Carrie Stuart Parks’ new book A Cry From the Dust is one you don’t want to miss reading.  Especially if you are a mystery lover like me.  It was a bit different in that the main character is a forensic artist.  Gwen is just coming to the end of a time in her life that has been extremely difficult.  She fought breast cancer, her husband divorced her and then wrote a bestselling book which did not paint her in the best light, and her daughter has now entered her teenage years and it is not going well.  Oh and don’t forget she is entering early menopause because of the chemo she had.   It really has not been a great year or two. 

Finally landing a job reconstructing the faces of the victims of a massacre in 1857, Gwen is thinking things may just be turning around.  It isn’t the best situation for her daughter because the job is in Utah, but it is a start.  But someone or a group of someones does not want those faces knows.  First there are the protestors and after that there is the attack on the site following a murder.  Gwen is beginning to think she should not have taken this job after all.

Of course the mystery continues from there, but I don’t want to reveal any more to you as that is no fun and will ruin a good chunk of the book.  I loved following the trails of clues and "un-clues" that Carrie laid down for us.  As any good writer of mystery can tell you, a few rabbit trails to throw you all off is a good thing and Carrie was very good at it.   

She also includes loads of history of the Mormon church, which made the book even more interesting.  It is not done in a dry history book way, but a way that made it very much a part of the story.  I have read books that just include history of a story and boy does that make for dry reading, but Carrie doesn’t do that.  I learned a bit more about the LDS and how they ended up in Utah and who their leaders were.  It even delves into some of the beliefs they have for the end of the world. 

If you are looking for an interesting mystery to read, this is a great one to start with and I am looking forward to seeing what Carrie writes next.

Happy Reading,

Author Visit

Dear Readers,

Just in time for a shiver on Halloween, Zachary Bartels is going to visit our store and talk about his new spiritual warfare book, Playing Saint.  He will be in the store at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night. 

Playing Saint is about a pastor whose star is on the rise until he hits a small bump.  To avert a scandal he agrees to help the Grand Rapids police department solve a series of murders that look religious in nature.  But there is more going on that what we can see and suddenly more than his career is in danger.

Come join us for a very interesting time and find out where Zach got his idea for his book and maybe even get a scare to share on Friday night.

Happy Reading,

P.S. Zach will also be bringing some of his other titles with him to sell.

New Release - Deceived - Irene Hannon

Dear Readers,

Deceived by Irene Hannon is book # in her Private Justice series.  Her books get more and more popular.  They have been getting to be a more of the "edge of your seat" reads also.  Her fans have a terrible time waiting for the next book to release.  It all makes for an author who you should be reading if you are not already.

Kate Marshall has been a grieving wife and mother for 3 years now.  She lost her husband and 4 year old son in a very tragic accident.  Then she sees a young boy at the mall that is a perfect match to her dead son. 

When the police refuse to believe her, she turns to a Private Investigator Connor Sullivan for help.  He is willing to at least check it out and what he finds out ends up putting their lives in danger.

Like I said, suspenseful, fast paced and hard to laydown before you are finished, Irene's books make for some really good reads.

Happy Reading,

New Releases - Oct. 20 - 25

Dear Readers,

Fall is in full swing here.  Cold, damp days, crisp nights and glorious colors.  Really the only thing I don't like about fall is that it is followed closely by Winter.  Here are a few new titles for you to enjoy while sitting inside enjoying a cup of hot cider and a good book.

Happy Reading,

At Bluebonnet Lake - Amanda Cabot - #1 Texas Crossroads - Kate is not ready to slow down, but she respects her grandmother's request to visit resort where Kate's grandparents spent a week years ago.  Kate figures she can spend the week and be done with it, but there is something about that handy man...

A Path Made Plain - Lynette Sowell - #2 Season in Pinecraft - Betsy Yoder pours all her time and energy into her bakery.  She is not interesting in another relationship after her heart was broken.  That is until a former Amish man who like motorcycles and leather walks into her bakery.

Deceived - Irene Hannon - Private Justice #3 - 3 years ago Kate Marshall lost her husband and young son.  When she sees a young boy in the mall that looks remarkably like him, she goes to the police.  When they don't believe her, she turns to a P.I. and what he finds puts her in more danger.

Lila -  Marilynne Robinson - Marilynne returns to Gilead to tell us the story of Lila, a homeless girl who finds herself in the midst of a church that judge those who raised her as unfit to enter their church. 

Lizzy and Jane - Katherine Reay - Lizzy and Jane have had a difficult relationship. Partly because of their age difference and partly because of what happened when their mother died.  Jane now is fighting breast cancer and Elizabeth, as she is now know by, arrives to help.

New Release - Surprised by Love - Julie Lessman

Dear Readers,

Julie Lessman makes no secret of her desire to bring good romantic books to the Christian reader.  When she realized what some of the girls she knew were reading, she decided she could do better than that for them and include a good message for them.

Surprised by Love is book #3 in The Heart of San Francisco series and with no apologies to anyone, it is a romantic book filled with young love. 

Megan McClare leaves San Francisco for Paris and no one really thinks anything of it.  She is a wallflower and not what one would call a great beauty.  That is why when she returns people take notice as she has bloomed into a young woman everyone is now taking note of. 

She now has a job working alongside a young man who used to tease her mercilessly in school.  She turns to a friend who has always been a support system for her, but now finds himself attracted to her also.  Which of her new suitors will Megan choose?

Fun, light, and a wonderful read for a relaxing afternoon.  Julie's books make us all long for that knight in shining armor.

Happy Reading,

Katherine Reay

Dear Readers,

Every one of us has been touched by cancer, whether it was a family member, a close friend or yourself, it is something that we all seem to have in common.  I have walked with several different people on their journey with cancer.  No journey is the same for any of them.  Each fight is a very personal event and everyone reacts differently to the treatment, but one thing that journey can do is draw us all closer.

Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay is a book about two sisters, many years apart in age and yet with so much in common.  They haven’t spoken in years because of what happened when their mother was dying of breast cancer.  Jane is now in her own battle with breast cancer and Lizzy, because of the pleading of their father, returns home to help while Jane’s husband is overseas.  The tension between the two has had several years to build and it will take something major to clear the air. 

I really liked Katherine’s first book, Dear Mr. Knightley, but there is something very special about this book.  I think it is because it is a topic that so many of us can relate to.  Stress levels are elevated during a time of illness and we struggle to keep our emotions in check, but sometimes they win and we say what we are actually thinking.  That is why I liked this book so much.  The characters are very real, their emotions are at times raw but they come from the heart when dealing with something that can take a loved one away. 

If you have never gone to a cancer clinic with someone while they are receiving chemo, Katherine does a really good job of showing how it is.  How everyone cheers each other on during their treatment, but how they grieve when someone loses the battle.  It can be a very beautiful place to visit even if it makes you uncomfortable at first.  And once again, the emotions are real, from those who are just putting in time to get it over with, to others who are so very angry, but have no place to direct their anger. 

A very interesting read and one I will recommend to many others.

Happy Reading,

New Release - A Lady at Willowgrove Hall - Sarah E. Ladd

Dear Readers,

Just a few short months ago the genre I got asked the most for was Amish.  Everyone wanted to know the new Amish releases, well that is changing a bit.  I am getting asked more and more about Regency Romance.  That genre is gaining ground and the authors are responding.

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is on of a couple different titles I have gotten here at the store in that genre.  It is book #3 in the Whispers on the Moor series and has been very popular with the readers.

Cecily Faire knows she must keep her past a secret.  If anything would slip out her das as a lady's companion at Willowgrove would be over.  As she is adjusting to her new job, she comes face to face with someone who could ruin everything.

Nathaniel has secrets of his own he has to keep.  He must keep them to secure his father's position as the Hall's steward.  The two must either confront their past and come to terms with it or they will continue to run the rest of their lives.

Beautiful covers wrapped around a delightful story, books don't get much better than that.  Sarah takes us in to a past that is just so much fun to visit.  Not sure I would want to live during that time, but visiting is nice.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Beyond I Do - Jennifer Slattery

Dear Readers,

I love being able to find books that I would not normally carry.  I get ideas from authors, fellow readers and websites.  I track the books down and then bring them in when I can.  Beyond I Do by Jennifer Slattery is one of those books.  

Ainsley Meadows is just looking for a little stability in her life.  Raised by a mother who was always moving on the next job or boyfriend, she is ready for something a bit different.  Her fiance' seems to be the ticket.  He is predictable and safe and they will have a happy life together.

That is until a battered woman and her child enter the picture.  Suddenly a long forgotten dream resurfaces and Ainsley is rethinking her plans.  She wonders if what she has plans is really God's plan for her or if she must follow in a different direction.

A gentle story to remind us that we need to listen to God when he nudges us in a different direction.  It doesn't mean we have to give up all our plans we just have to include him while planning.

Happy Reading,

New Releases Oct. 13-18

Dear Readers,

The past two weeks have been so busy I have had little or no time to read.  I always feel a bit out of sorts when that happens, thankfully I will have more time to catch up again this week.  Then on Saturday I will have a chance to share those books with the Librarians at the Evangelical Church Librarians Association meeting in Chicago.  It is a great group of librarians that get together and visit and exchange ideas and learn lots from each other.  If you are a church librarian and are interested in attending, let me know and I will get you in contact with the person in charge.

Happy Reading,

Surprised by Love - Julie Lessman- #3 The Heart of San Francisco - Wallflower Megan McClare headed to Paris to study, but no one was ready for what she would be like when she returned.  With new beauty and pose, she is ready to take on the world, including her old nemesis, Devin.

Promise to Cherish - Elizabeth Byler Younts -  #2 The Promise of Sunrise Series - Christine Freeman is a nurse working at the local hospital. Everything is going great including her new friendship with Eli, that is until her abusive boyfriend returns from the war and turns everything upside down.

Playing Saint - Zachary Bartels - Parker Saint is very comfortable in his pastoral job.  Lead Pastor is a mega-church, a book deal on the horizon and fans galore.  But a scandal threatens it all.  He is offered a deal by the police department, one he can't refuse and suddenly he is trying to help find a serial murderer.

The Daughter of Highland Hall - Carrie Turansky - #2 Edwardian Brides - Katherine is ready to make her debut.  She needs to make a strong one in order to land a proper husband.  Scandal puts an end to her season and she finds herself needing to support herself.

When Mercy Rains - Kim Vogel Sawyer - #1 The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy - 20 years ago Suzanne was sent away from her Old Order Mennonite community.  After making a life for herself and her daughter, she feels she has moved on.  Now she has received a letter from her brother asking for her help caring for their ailing mother.

New Release - Heretic - Henry Vyner-Brooks

Dear Readers,

I have found interest in the new fiction genre that seems to be making in onto book shelves lately.  There are more and more books on church history.  Now I remember church history from high school and it was not my favorite subject.  It was a bit dry and well boring.  I wonder if part of was that the class was right after lunch, but I do know that some of it was because it was just boring.

That said, I am enjoying the books about those time periods and learning lots.  Heretic by Henry Vyner-brooks is the latest of these books that have arrived in the store.  It is a daunting book with just over 600 pages, but the story line sounds very interesting.

Brother Pacificus is hiding out from his past and the real world.  When he arrives back into the world he discovers things much different that when he left.  He and his rag tag band of misfits are ready to fight to the new world order, but will any of them survive long enough to make a difference?

Set in 1536 the Bible is becoming available to the 'common' man and the church is in flux.  The rich and powerful know that if they don't get rid of the rebels and soon, they will loose everything that they hold dear. 

It is not the proudest time for the ruling church, but it is part of their history and it is something we can learn from.  The Bible was written for all men, not just those in power.  Fiction books like Heretic as always a good reminder of this for all of us.

Happy Reading,

Zachary Bartels

Dear Readers,

I am always on the lookout for more authors who write good mysteries.  I get very excited when I not only find a good mystery, but one set in Grand Rapids.  Ok, so that second thing is rare, but it is exciting to find a good mystery.  Zachary Bartels lives in Lansing, MI and is very familiar with the Grand Rapids area.  So for him to set his book here was not a big stretch, but it sure made it fun to read Playing Saint.  

Parker Saint is getting just what he thinks he deserves, as mega church leader, soon to release a blockbusting book, and soon to be celebrity.  He loves living the dream.  But suddenly his life takes a left turn and throws him right in the middle of a scandal that could take it all away from him.  At the police station one of the detectives offers him a deal he can’t refuse.  Be a consultant on a case that is plaguing the police department or they will break the scandal to the news. 

Soon Parker finds himself trying to answer religious questions that he has no idea how to answer. As he is drawn into a murder mystery unlike any the city has ever seen and hopes to never see again, Parker finds himself fearing for his life and wondering about his faith and the faith of his father.

Fast paced, adventuresome and somewhat chilling, Playing Saint was a very interesting first novel.  It was fun to follow Parker around town and to try to figure out the clues before the killer is revealed.  I won’t tell you where I figured it out, but Zachery does a good job of laying clues, but also deception on what is a clue and what you think should be a clue.  Sometimes our own prejudices  are used against us and make us jump to conclusions we should not.  I found myself falling into that trap a couple of times and having to remind myself, it usually isn’t that easy. 

I am looking forward to the next installment of Parker Saint – preacher, detective.  Ok I hope there is a next installment.  Tell me there is please….

 

Happy Reading,

P.S. Zachery Bartels will be in Baker on Oct. 30^th at 7:00p.m. speaking about and signing his book.

P.P.S. For those of you not from Grand Rapids, we are not a hot bed for murder and mayhem.  Just wanted you to know.

Author Visit - Robert Roush

Dear Readers,

October is a very fun month here at the store.  We have author visit galore.  We want each one to be special for the author and work very hard to make sure they are all known about.   This week Thursday, Local author Robert Roush will be here signing his book In the Image of Man. 

In the Image of Man is a spiritual warfare book along the lines of Frank Peretti. When Officer Chris Davis rescues a woman from an attack by a very strange perp.  The man is almost unstoppable and doesn't seem to have emotion either.  Chris is puzzled by everything that is happen around town and it all leads back to a research facility just outside the city limits.  Will he be able to figure out what is really going on behind the doors before an evil is unleashed on the entire world?

Come on Thursday October 16th at 7:00p.m. and hear Robert talk about where he got the idea for his book, but also the research he did to make it come to life.

Happy Reading,

New Release - Magnolia Market - Judy Christie

Dear Readers,

I really fell in love with Judy Christie's books while reading Sweet Olive last year.  It was a wonderful southern genre book that had rich characters and a beautiful setting.  Set in the little town, just a bit off the beaten path the Trumpet and Vine novels are full of people you will want to get to know better.

In Magnolia Market we meet Avery Broussand who a year ago lost her husband.  She is start to think there is an end to the awful year.  She is set to take over her mother - in - law's dress boutique.  One she help get back on course.  One that Avery has been saving for the past year.  Things are looking up.

Then on a whim she is kicked out of the store and the deal is off.  Suddenly she is at war with her in-laws and she isn't sure she will survive.  T.J sees all of this happening and knows that Avery is the victim here, not the Broussands.  But T.J. has lived in Samford long enough to know the rules of the game, no one messes with the Broussand family and lives to talk about it. (so to speak)

I know that while reading Sweet Olive I wanted to pull up a rocking chair and a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy the visit in a small town in Louisiana.  I can't wait to get reading again to visit some friends in this delightful series.

Happy Reading,

New Releases Oct. 6-11

Dear Readers,

Tomorrow is our all day librarian's day at the store.  We offer our librarians an extra discount that day along with giveaways, book reviews and more.  If you are a librarian or know someone who is, please feel free to let them know what is going on.  It is an all day event, so as long as the doors are unlocked, the sale is going on. 

Happy Reading,

The Promise - Beth Wiseman - Mallory has one goal in life, save someone's life.  She promised her cousin and now is willing to do just about anything to fulfill that promise.  Including going to Pakistan to marry a man so his daughter can come to America for treatment.

Every Tear a Memory - Myra Johnson - #4 Till We Meet Again series - Joanna found adventure in France during the Great War.  She starts working as a switchboard operator, which she finds dull.  Attention from the hotel manager where she works is a surprise, but can two so different people find love?

The Heretic - Henry Vyner-Brooks - (from the backcover) - From the crypts of St. Benet's Abbey to the brutal streets of London and Antwerp, the companions must face their darkest fears to protect those they love. 

A Lady of Willowgrove Hall - Sarah Ladd - Whispers on the Moors - #3 - Cecily is trying to keep her past hidden.  She is now a lady's maid at Willowgrove Hall and must be careful not to let anything slip.  The problem is Nathaniel knows her past, but he has a secret to keep also.

Beyond I Do - Jennifer Slattery - Ainsley was raised by a mother who had as many jobs as she had boyfriends.  Ainsley finds a safe relationship with Richard and starts planning their wedding.  When a battered woman and her child spark something in Ainsley that may change everyone.

New Release - Buttermilk Sky - Jan Watson

Dear Readers,

Jan Watson made a name for herself by winning the 2004 contest for Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.  She has since published several more novels and has made a name for herself in the publishing world as on who writes tender stories filled with strong characters. 

In Buttermilk Sky she once again gives us a story her fans have come to expect.  Mazy leaves behind her strict upbringing for the big city of Lexington.  She attend a secretarial school and believes life will great now.  The problem is the big city isn't as friendly as home and school is a lot harder than expected. 

Enter Loyal, wealthy son of the Chambers and when he starts courting Mazy, she thinks all her dreams will be coming true.  Of course there is Chanis, the local sheriff who is also interested in Mazy.  Who will she choose?

Historical and romance are a wonderful combination in a book.  A chance to sit, relax and enjoy a different time.  Jan has been doing a for 10 years now and seems to have it down to an art form. 

Happy Reading,

Beth Wiseman

Dear Readers,

Beth Wiseman is known for her Amish fiction, but she also writes terrific contemporary fiction.  The Promise is her latest venture into that genre.  The Promise is based on a story that actually happened to a friend of Beth’s, you need to keep that in mind as there will be parts of the story that you won’t believe are actually true.  It still seems strange to me that someone had this all happen to them or that they allowed it to happen through bad choices and not listening to the advice of friends and family.

Years earlier, Mallory had a chance to save her cousin's life.  The problem was her parents didn’t want to risk her life with kidney surgery and so when her cousin died, Mallory make a promise that someday she would save someone’s life.  Now Mallory has a chance to do that.  Her employer’s brother’s daughter has leukemia and the only way to get her healthy is to get her to America.  The only way to do that is to have the brother marry an American and Mallory is more than willing to be that person.

As I was reading this book, I found myself getting frustrated with Mallory.  She seemed to believe that all the reports coming out of Pakistan were false or at least blown out of proportion.  She doesn’t believe anyone is correct and thinks they are only trying to stop her from fulfilling her promise.  I wanted to shake her a couple of times and ask her why she thought all those who loved her were wrong and the one person she was believing was a guy she had never met. 

I think that is part of a good book, when you get emotionally attached to the characters, whether it is love, anger or any other emotion, it doesn’t matter.  If you are emotionally invested in a character, then you know the book has kept your attention.  In the Promise, this happened to me and I know I will be telling more people to read this book.

Happy Reading,   

 

New Release - The Brickmaker's Bride - Judith Miller

Dear Readers,

If nothing else sells The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller the cover will it is beautiful.  The art department at Bethany House is some of the best in the business and they hit it out of the park with this one.  The nice thing is, this cover is wrapped around a book by Judith and you know it is will be  good.

Set in West Virginia just after the civil war, we take a journey with Ewan McKay as he starts out in America just after the war.  His Aunt and Uncle purchase a brickmaking operation and his job is to get it up and running. 

Ewan seeks out Laura the former owner's daughter and asks her advice.  He is drawn to her, but she is being courted by another and Ewan focus on work so he can afford to bring his sister over to America also. 

There is more to the storyline, but I will let you find that out on your own.  Judith writes books about the people who made America strong.  Folks who worked hard to make a go of it here in the new country and who passed that down to the next generation.  She paints a picture that makes her books so interesting to read.  If you haven't enjoyed one before, this is a great place to start.

Happy Reading,

Author Visit

Dear Readers,

This coming Thursday night the 9th of October we are hosting 5 fiction authors here at Baker Book House.  They are all speaking/leading at the Breathe writers conference here in Grand Rapids and we have the honor of hosting them the night before. 

3 of the authors I know personally as they are local authors and we have been privilege to host them on a few other occasions.  They have hosted various book clubs I belong to and have done book launches here, so it is great to welcome them home once again. 

Sharon Garlough Brown will be reading from her book, Sensible Shoes and talking about her publishing experience going from a self published book to being mentioned on Kathy Lee Gifford's morning show. 

Tracy Groot will be reading from her latest book, Sentinels of Andersonville and talking about her experiences of researching a difficult topic.

Susie Finkbeiner will be reading from My Mother's Camomile and talking about her writing experience .

Then we have two author whom I am excited to meet for the first time.  Julie Cantrell who made me fall in love with a wonderful spunky character in the book Into the Free.  Then she continued Millie and Bump's story in When Mountains Move.  I am looking forward to hearing her speak about her books and also read from them.

The last but not least author is Jocelyn Green who won my heart when she wrote about strong women and how the fought along side of, supported and loved the men during the Civil War.  Her characters lives are not defined by the men they love, but what they have done. She will be reading from Yankee in Atlanta, her newest release.

Please feel free to join us for a wonderful, fun filled evening.

Happy Reading.

New Releases - Sept. 29 - Oct. 4

Dear Readers,

Can anyone else believe it is October?  Last year we got snow in my home town the week before Halloween.  I am praying we don't get that this year.  I am not ready.  Ah well more good books is a great answer to yucky weather.

Happy Reading,

To Everything a Season - Lauraine Snelling - #1 Song of Blessing - Lauraine returns to everyone's favorite town in Minnesota.  Trygve works on the construction crew building  a future for Blessing, North Dakota.  He never dreams of leaving the town, that is until he meets Miriam.

Buttermilk Sky - Jan Watson - Mazy leaves her small town behind to follow her dreams.  The problem is the big city isn't as welcoming as she thought it would be and business school is a lot more difficult than she thought it would be.  Of course the 2 beaus are not helping matters either.

Magnolia Market - Judy Christi - #2 A trumpet and vine series - Avery Broussard believes her difficult year is finally behind her.  There is a little at the end of the tunnel, but she didn't know it was her late husband's family.  T. J. see that Avery is fighting a battle, but he also knows you don't challenge the Broussard family.

Becoming Bea - Leslie Gould - #4 the Courtships of Lancaster County - Beatrice's confidence soars after dealing with a family with triplets, except for Ben.  He still seems able to get under her skin.

New Release - Honor - Lyn Cote

Dear Readers,

Lyn Cote by her own admission writes about times in America's history that are not the quiet times.  She takes her characters and puts them in times that require difficult decisions to be made.  She has written about Texas when they went from a colony to a Mexican territory to a Republic to a state in a few very short  years.  Now she is taking on slavery, abolish and the underground railroad.

Honor is her first in the Quaker Brides series.  A series she labels that "Chronicles the lives of brave heroines fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family and the heart.  Book #2 is already schedule to release next summer.

Honor is left with no means of support. As a woman she really has no rights to own property and when she if left with no male members of her family she is forced into a marriage with Samuel.  He has a hard time trusting since loosing his hearing as a child. 

West to Ohio she heads to be with her new husband while leaving behind her family's plantation where she had hoped to free all the slaves.  When she arrives she realizes that her up bringing is not going to help her in the new frontier life along with the chance to help on the underground railroad, she will need all her strength and determination to settle into her new life.

A different look at life in Ohio when it was considered a frontier.  How very interesting as I find myself usually thinking of anything west of the Mississippi River as frontier, not a state that is farther east than that.  Add in the start of the underground railroad and it makes for an interesting historical read.

Happy Reading,

Gina Holmes

Dear Readers,

So the weather was perfect.  It was a warm September Sunday afternoon and I had nothing to do.  So what else is there to do but pick up Gina Holmes' newest book Driftwood Tides and disappear out to Nag’s Head. 

Holton lost his perfect, saintly wife over 5 years ago and he then lost himself in a bottle.  Libby finds out she is adopted because of a blood test that comes back.  She decides to go hunting for her birth mother and that leads her to Holton’s doorstep.  What she find there is a drunk man, mourning the loss of a beloved wife, but also someone with great artistic talent.  How can she ever justify telling him who she is, when he doesn’t seem to care about anyone but himself?

No more storyline as there is a lot going on in this book and I don’t want to give that away.  Just know that the intertwining threads of this book are fascinating.  It is a feel of real life in the ways that so much of what goes on in our lives is affected by or affects others and their reaction to us.  When Libby decides to go to Nag’s Head it is not only a decision that she makes for herself, but also her mother and fiancé.  Once there, her being there not only affects herself but also her mother’s husband and the people that know and work with him.  Everything twines together.

The story moves along at a good pace and really kept me interested all day long.  I didn’t even put it down to watch the Tigers clinch the AL title.  J  I always look forward to Gina’s books because she takes what could be an ordinary story and adds a little twist to it.  Because of the twist it usually teaches me something about dealing with a person with an issue brought out in the book.  This time it was alcoholism and how it is in every walk of life. For many  people and families the disease is part of their everyday lives.  Sometimes because of something in their DNA people can’t say no to alcohol and how others can support them though it all. 

Even if you don’t have a whole day to just sit and read, make sure you put this book on your to-be-read list.

Happy Reading,  

New Release - The Color of Justice - Ace Collins

Dear Readers,

I have enjoyed a number of Ace Collins books.  He seems to always have a little bit of a different way of telling a story that makes them fun to read.  Color of Justice is his most recent release and this time he takes on racism and the wounds that has left in our communities around the country.

In 1964 Coop Lindsay agrees to defend a black man accused of killing a white teenager.  He knows that in the town of Justice he will not be welcomed after the verdict comes in.  It won't matter whether the defendant is found guilty or innocent, Coop himself will have to leave town.

50 years later Coop's grandson returns to Justice to seek answers to the case that changed everything for his family.  When a new case is opened while Clark Lindsay is in town and once again the Lindsay family finds itself at odds with some of the folks of the town.

Ace has a way of making you think you are part of the story.  He draws you into the murder case and even will make you make your own call on the case.  But he never makes the answer an easy one.  We all need to confront the racisms in our lives and Ace helps us do that while inviting us into a really good mystery.

Happy Reading,